Save Myself from Desperation

Jessica’s expression was more embarrassed than ever, as if she had been stripped naked and pointed at. She took a deep breath and forced herself to speak. “I don’t know about the bribery, and | don’t know why Jeremy would do such a thing. Even if it's for me, | would never accept this kind of backdoor deal... Dance is my faith. I’ve practiced so hard for so long just to participate in the competition with my abilities. I’m sorry for disrupting the competition!”

Despite Jessica’s sincere words, the audience below wasn’t buying it.

“She doesn’t know? Jessica claims she doesn’t know?”

“| don’t believe it. Jeremy is her brother. They are together every day. How could she not know about Jeremy bribing the judges?” “But Jessica does practice hard privately. She performed well in this round. It doesn’t seem like she took a backdoor approach.” “Why believe everything she says? Don’t be so naive, folks!”

In the backstage area at this moment, Jeremy had a momentary look of confusion upon hearing Jessica’s words.

Jessica actually said she didn’t know... While | didn’t explicitly tell her about the bribery with the judges, | had hinted at it. | thought Jessica understood. Facing public scrutiny just now, Jessica said she didn’t know it... Was she trying to divert the accusations to me to shield herself from public criticism, or did she really not know?’ He thought.

Astaff member passed by, looking at Jeremy with a complex expression.

Although, out of respect for the Ramos family, the staff members didn’t say anything, the disdain and implication in their eyes were impossible to hide.

Jeremy felt like his back was being burned by the scrutinizing gazes, and he suddenly became extremely embarrassed.

“Most importantly, who exposed this audio clip? Who sent it to the program’s email?’ Jeremy wondered.

A flash of insight crossed his mind, and he immediately looked toward Ashley on the stage.

Ashley stood there calmly, her delicate and bright face showing no

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surprise or curiosity about the exposed audio incident.

Jeremy instantly felt a chill on his back, believing it must be related to Ashley!

She must be the one who had sent the audio to the program’s email!

“This b astard! Why is she so ruthless to me? I’m her biological brother. How could she be so cold-blooded?’ Jeremy thought. On the stage at this moment, when Miranda saw the exposure of the judges’ bribery, she was so excited that she almost jumped up. She shook Ashley's arm enthusiastically and whispered, “Ashley, no wonder the judges gave Jessica such high scores. It turns out they were paid for it! | knew she didn’t dance as well as you! This is great. Being exposed in public like this is a complete disgrace! I’m wondering who exposed the recording. Well done! I’d like to give my thumbs up!”

Ashley couldn't help but be amused by Miranda.

She had recorded the audio when she overheard the judges discussing it during her rehearsal a couple of days ago.

Ashley sent it to the program’s email in advance, but she didn’t expect the program team to check it only after the competition. On the other side, after hearing Jessica’s response, the host couldn’t determine the truth of her words for the time being. However, he announced, “Dear audience, the director just informed me through the earpiece that, after an emergency discussion by the program team, all the judges’ scores for the contestants just now are canceled!

“After the program team’s deliberation, we are handing the scoring power to the five hundred audience members present. Each of you will have one vote to give to your favorite contestant. The one with the highest votes will become the first-place Show Your Dance Grand Finals winner! And she will be able to become Ms. Rice's student!”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

After the host finished his words, staff members distributed voting devices to the audience. Everyone was allowed to cast only one vote, so they were cautious.

The livestream viewers expressed their discontent.

[I protest! Why can only the live audiences vote? Aren't we audiences?] [This is an emergency. The crew probably didn’t have time to set up

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online voting.]

[Actually, online voting is not secure. There’s a high chance of fake accounts and vote manipulation!)

[Oh, my. Guys, go check on Twitter! Jeremy bribing the judges is trending! Everyone knows it now!]

[I saw it too! Many people on the trending topic are discussing this, all criticizing Jeremy! They say he’s shameless, using his wealth to sn atch away someone else's first place. That's what a humble upstart would do!]

The on-site voting concluded, and the program team urgently tallied the results.

Then, the host announced the rankings.

Looking at the cards in his hands, the host announced, “After counting the votes on-site, the contestant who secured the eighth place is Roxanne Kerr! She received 18 votes!”

Spa rse applause echoed in the venue.

Roxanne had made mistakes due to nervousness during her performance, resulting in a lower vote count.

The host continued to announce the rankings, quickly reaching the fourth position. “Now, | announce the contestant who secured place is Miranda Longman! She received 35 votes!”

h

Miranda was relaxed after the competition and was happy to s fourth position. She bowed to express her gratitude to the audi The host proceeded to announce the third and then the second “The contestant who secured the second place is Jessica Ramos! S. received 43 votes!”

As this ranking was announced, a wave of surprise swept through the audience.

After some inquiry, it was evident that some believed in Jessica’s innocence and appreciated her good performance today. Therefore, s| received over forty votes.

Now, it was time to announce the first place.

The host raised the microphone and declared loudly, “The winner of th Show Your Dance Grand Finals is Ashley Ramos! She received a total o

305 votes! Congratulations, Ashley!”